Post by Taxigirl on Jan 19, 2004 10:09:28 GMT
Inter are in a crisis after a very public row with Christian Vieri and this shock home defeat to relegation strugglers Empoli.
Inter's week has been dominated by headlines over the unsettled Christian Vieri. The striker was fined for not attending a Coppa Italia game midweek and Coach Alberto Zaccheroni publicly threatened to drop him from this match as a disciplinary measure.
The tactician was true to his word, as Vieri was left in the stands for the encounter with strugglers Empoli. Officially the reason was given as "a muscular problem," but the Italian press was quick to press the panic button.
Inter also welcomed Matias Almeyda back after his three-match ban was reduced to two on appeal.
Julio Cruz thought he had given Inter the lead when he chested down the ball eight yards from goal, but incredibly ballooned over the bar with a slight deflection from defenders.
Ivan Cordoba also went close, but was unable to get a decent touch on Andy van der Meyde's intelligent cross in.
Empoli also took their shots on goal, Francesco Toldo scrambling to control a Tommaso Rocchi effort while Antonio Di Natale drilled wide.
The Nerazzurri slowly increased the pressure and just before the break had two chances to break the deadlock. A poor clearance went straight to Javier Zanetti and his shot was deflected out, while van der Meyde's follow-up was comfortably saved.
Obafemi Martins managed to spring the offside trap on 50 minutes in Inter's best opportunity of the game so far, but the little Nigerian did not get firm contact with his header and the chance went begging.
Soon after Emre Belozoglu gave Luca Bucci a scare with a fierce shot from outside the box that skimmed the far post.
The little Turk is undoubtedly talented, but his temperament is a problem and he was sent off for dissent. Emre was initially booked for a foul, but carried on his furious protests for so long that the red card was inevitable.
There were more worries when Daniele Adani limped off with a thigh problem to be replaced by Jeremie Brechet.
Empoli's confidence grew in the closing stages and Antonio Di Natale was twice halted for very dubious offside decisions, while he placed an angled drive inches past the far post.
A group of Inter fans left the Stadium early in protest, leaving behind banners criticising the squad, and missed Di Natale slamming a powerful effort on to the underside of the crossbar with Toldo beaten.
It was to get worse, as deep into stoppage time Francesco Tavano skipped past Brechet to put in a cross for Tommaso Rocchi's tap-in. This was an historic moment, as until now Empoli had never earned a single point in their various trips to the San Siro.
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Inter: Toldo; Cordoba, Adani (Brechet 65), Gamarra; J Zanetti, Almeyda (Lamouchi 85), Emre, Pasquale; Cruz, Martins, van der Meyde (Farinos 64)
Empoli: Bucci; Belleri (Pratali 76), Cribari, Vargas, Lucchini (Tavano 76); Grella, Ficini; Busce', Vannucchi (Cappellini 84), Di Natale; Rocchi
Ref: Paparesta
Sent off: Emre 65 (I)
Inter's week has been dominated by headlines over the unsettled Christian Vieri. The striker was fined for not attending a Coppa Italia game midweek and Coach Alberto Zaccheroni publicly threatened to drop him from this match as a disciplinary measure.
The tactician was true to his word, as Vieri was left in the stands for the encounter with strugglers Empoli. Officially the reason was given as "a muscular problem," but the Italian press was quick to press the panic button.
Inter also welcomed Matias Almeyda back after his three-match ban was reduced to two on appeal.
Julio Cruz thought he had given Inter the lead when he chested down the ball eight yards from goal, but incredibly ballooned over the bar with a slight deflection from defenders.
Ivan Cordoba also went close, but was unable to get a decent touch on Andy van der Meyde's intelligent cross in.
Empoli also took their shots on goal, Francesco Toldo scrambling to control a Tommaso Rocchi effort while Antonio Di Natale drilled wide.
The Nerazzurri slowly increased the pressure and just before the break had two chances to break the deadlock. A poor clearance went straight to Javier Zanetti and his shot was deflected out, while van der Meyde's follow-up was comfortably saved.
Obafemi Martins managed to spring the offside trap on 50 minutes in Inter's best opportunity of the game so far, but the little Nigerian did not get firm contact with his header and the chance went begging.
Soon after Emre Belozoglu gave Luca Bucci a scare with a fierce shot from outside the box that skimmed the far post.
The little Turk is undoubtedly talented, but his temperament is a problem and he was sent off for dissent. Emre was initially booked for a foul, but carried on his furious protests for so long that the red card was inevitable.
There were more worries when Daniele Adani limped off with a thigh problem to be replaced by Jeremie Brechet.
Empoli's confidence grew in the closing stages and Antonio Di Natale was twice halted for very dubious offside decisions, while he placed an angled drive inches past the far post.
A group of Inter fans left the Stadium early in protest, leaving behind banners criticising the squad, and missed Di Natale slamming a powerful effort on to the underside of the crossbar with Toldo beaten.
It was to get worse, as deep into stoppage time Francesco Tavano skipped past Brechet to put in a cross for Tommaso Rocchi's tap-in. This was an historic moment, as until now Empoli had never earned a single point in their various trips to the San Siro.
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Inter: Toldo; Cordoba, Adani (Brechet 65), Gamarra; J Zanetti, Almeyda (Lamouchi 85), Emre, Pasquale; Cruz, Martins, van der Meyde (Farinos 64)
Empoli: Bucci; Belleri (Pratali 76), Cribari, Vargas, Lucchini (Tavano 76); Grella, Ficini; Busce', Vannucchi (Cappellini 84), Di Natale; Rocchi
Ref: Paparesta
Sent off: Emre 65 (I)